Formula One Highlights: Japanese Grand Prix, Raceday Part 5
The feature continues with the dying parts of the race and aims to text-photo the action that conspired from the Japanese Grand Prix from the 40th lap onwards. After making his pitstop, Button rejoined the track just behind his team mate. The
order at the top saw all 5 title contenders classified in the top 5 and verily, right in the mix of things.
Sebastian Vettel led ahead of his team mate Mark Webber. Fernando Alonso kept the only remaining Ferrari in third and potentially heading for a podium finish. Alonso’s fate was heavily dependant on the McLarens that followed just behind – Lewis Hamilton
was fourth, followed by Jenson Button rounding up the top 5. It was shaping up to be an interesting race and was pleasing to the eye of any Formula One fanatic looking for a close gap finish; not only on the day, but also in the championship.
Lap 40 saw Vettel setting the fastest first and sector times and looked well on course for setting the fastest lap. After seeing Button’s car disappear into the pits, the Red Bull looked to take advantage of the clear track ahead. Meanwhile, Hamilton complained
over the radio that he had lost his 3rd gear – It is worth reminding, that the McLaren was already docked 5 places as his gearbox was changed before qualifying. Was there another shocker in store for the 2007 champion?
Jenson Button was 8.5 seconds behind Hamilton and made his intentions clear as he posted the fastest time for sectors 1, 2 and 3 – A clean sweep to set the fastest lap of the race. His gap from his team mate at the end of the lap was just 6.4 seconds. While
Whitmarsh might have been happy to see his driver stepping up a notch, it was Hamilton’s transmission that worried him.
The Red Bulls responded to Button’s pace as the duo went under the 1 minute 35 second mark. Button was effectively, a mere 2.2 seconds behind Hamilton. The latter appeared to be losing a lot of time due to his gearbox problem. Was the McLaren driver facing
the prospect of a third consecutive race retirement in six weeks? – It was hard not to sympathise for the McLaren driver, whether you were a McLaren, Japanese or neutral spectator of the race.
Jenson Button was right up to Hamilton’s car as the race entered lap 44. Hamilton’s car was also emitting brake dust in the braking zones. With a car struggling for race pace, the 4th placed McLaren had little choice but to let his team mate through
at the hairpin. It was an extremely sensible decision as further pushing the car might have endangered the driver from finishing the race at all. As the saying goes, one should know when to push and more importantly; when to walk away. The maturity displayed
by the McLaren driver was commendable bearing in mind the championship situation – Michael Schumacher, did you watch that?
Kamyui Kobayashi got past Alguersuari on the outside at the hairpin. Both drivers had contact but Kobayashi made the move stick. It was a textbook move by the young Sauber driver. Elsewhere, Adrian Suttil had to bid the Grand Prix a premature goodbye. The
Force India couldn’t cope on the day and retired with a blown engine – Sutil drove his ‘smoking’ Force India back into the pits. It was a shame as Sutil has been one of the most improved drivers this season and was expected to score a point or two for his
team.
As the race headed to its last few laps, cars all round were experiencing a lot of wear and tear. The question at that point in time was; who was going to withstand the test of Suzuka and emerge at the other side?
Stay tuned for an action packed finale…
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